[Russian name: MAKAROVKA]
Saratov Province: Kamyshin District
Some references from Die Welt Post, translated by Eugen Wittmann.
Die Welt Post Thursday, 11, August, 1927
Written, Merkel, 26 June
Georg Brunz, Hastings. – I sent you the desired pictures last week, also, two of my person, before and after the hunger years, for comparison. A picture of the bell tower and schoolhouse I sent to Emilie [b. Eichhorn] as a souvenir, because her father did his duty as schoolmaster there. Another picture I sent to the Welt Post; I would like to see whether the men are so kind to include it in the next issue. (We did it with pleasure and the countrymen from Merkel will find the schoolhouse with bell tower above. – Editor)
I also made nice pictures of the old church and will send them readily to every reader of the Welt Post, who asks me to do so. (In this case it is unnecessary to print the picture in our paper. – Editor). I could also make more photos from the schoolhouse, if it is wished. Georg Weber, Lincoln, Nebr. – I’ve sent you pictures,also. Unfortunately they are not of the best quality, but your deceased father-in-law is in them. Heinrich Krämer, Canada – A little bit more patience, then your wish will come true, too.
P.S. The photograph of the school was printed but the church was not!
Below is another of several references Mr. Bauer made toward taking a picture of the Merkel church!
Die Welt Post Thursday, 15, September, 1927
Written, Merkel, 10, August
– I have promised to send a picture of Merkel’s old church with this report, but have to let it stand over until next time. -"Die Welt Post" – Thursday, 15, September 1927. Reports from the Volga German Republic by Alexander Bauer, Written in Merkel, 10 August.
April 16, 1925
Mr. Krämer in Duchess, Canada, and Mr. Schreiner in Walla Walla, Washington. Now you will get your pictures soon, too. Now I have the material for it.
Nov. 5, 1925
Heinrich Krämer in Duches, Canada, we’ll start soon, the same for Mr. Schreiner in Walla Walla, Wash., and all others. Also, Brother H. Hetze, and brother-in-law G. Bierig, just wait a little bit more, till next week, then I will write you a letter.
Die Welt Post: Written, Merkel 22 May. 1927
In the next few days I will go to Saratow to buy equipment for it. In the following days I will send the pictures for Georg Brunz in Hastings Nebraska, the house of his parents, the schoolhouse with bell tower; it is a very good picture. The Welt Post shall have one to show the Merkler readers of it where they once had their classes. Emilie Eichhorn shall have one too, as a gift. Jacob Weber, in Lincoln, will soon get what he wished; also Henry Krämer in Duches Canada. I could make more pictures, because I have more freedom this summer.
"Die Welt Post" – Thursday, the 2nd of February 1928, Page 2
Written in Merkel, 27th of December 1927.
– Right now, Färber from Dittel, who had accompanied pastor Möllmann on his way to Merkel, came in and told me that he got a letter from Walla Walla, Wash., from his brother-in-law Adam Schreiner, who wrote that he liked the picture I made for him. -Reports from the Republic of the Volga Germans, Alexander Bauer, "Die Welt Post" – Thursday, the 2nd of February 1928, Page 2 Written in Merkel, 27th of December 1927."